All Aboard the USS Midway

OMG!!!  What an opportunity!  We were invited to spend the weekend aboard the USS Midway!

Coming from a family with strong military ties, the kids were thrilled beyond believe when they heard they would be spending the weekend sleeping on the deck of the USS Midway beneath the shade of the fighter planes.  They couldn't hold back their excitement and I think told everyone we know.  They threw on their day packs and bed roll and were ready to experience one of the longest operating aircraft carriers in the US fleet.

We boarded the carrier and headed directly for the flight deck.  The shear size of this ship was amazing.  As you stand at one end and look down the flight line you feel the power that must lay in the commanding of a ship of this magnitude.

 

After lining up as sailors on deck and listening to our safety briefings, we were assigned to the Purple squadron.  Since we were a smaller group then most, we were the elite special forces squadron.  YES!!  After choosing to set up our bedrolls beneath the RA-5 recon plane, we met with our commander to receive instructions.  We were to prepare and take care of the incoming Navy Leap Frogs Parachute Team.  How cool is that.

As we headed toward forward deck and began to rope off an area for them to land on deck, we could see the jump plane coming in from the south.  Announcements were made for all to look up and off they went.  Swirling and spinning while one shot off smoke gas and another carried the American Flag as it flew proudly in its decent to the deck.

  Once the entire team had landed, our group met with them for a Q&A, tried on helmet cams, examined equipment and hung out with these great men from such an elite jump team.

Though some may think that was the highlight, that was only the beginning of an incredible time on board this magnificent ship.  

Though we had run of the ship, we wanted to explore it all and so a plan was devised so that we would make it through each level and not miss out on any of the events.  Each of the squadrons was given a schedule so as not to overcrowd any one area at one time.  So that we weren't delayed later, we decided to grab an early dinner on deck before the exploration began. 

Next stop, navigation room and pilot briefing rooms.

  Though most everyone there was already fully familiar with land navigation, only a few of us had flown planes.  We received instructions on flight planning, our mission, and some helpful tips we would need to work together to complete it.  We were briefed on the scenario at hand, the targets were identified, and it was off to the simulators.  What an exciting time! 

We then headed in for de-brief and to receive our stats.  Woo-hoo!!! We rocked this challenge.  Next up was the triage and medical units, strategy games in the officers lounge, morse code & Ham radio work, basic astronomy, geography challenges, and bridge operations.  Not to mention our surprise attacks on other squadrons.

hahaha.  What a night!  When the activities started to subside as many of the kids were starting to tire out (WIMPS!!!), the best was yet to come.  A large screen was set up on forward deck for a 2AM film of non other then "TOP GUN".  OMG!  Not only is this an awsome classic movie by any standards, but to be able to crash out on the deck of an incredible ship such as this at two in the morning and chill out with Top Gun was quite an experience. 

By 4am, we were exhausted after a long day of fun and headed back to the RA-5 for some sleep, albeit very brief.  As reveille played at 5am, I don't think I had heard that many growns in quite a long time.  We needed sleep, but it would not be happening today.  Dragging our tired butts out of bed proved to be rewarding as we lined up for chow while watching the sun come up over the morning fog on the horizon.  Tired as we were, nothing can compare to sights like this to make an early morning worth while.

After cleaning up and packing our bed rolls, we played a few games before debarking the Midway.  We were exhausted and knew that we still had a long drive back to Phoenix, but after a weekend like this, we just weren't quite ready to leave San Diego.